Aligning Practice Data and Institution-specific CPD: Medical Quality Management as the Driver for an eLearning Development Process

Abstract

For hospital physicians, alignment of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) with quality improvement efforts is often absent or rudimentary. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a CPD development process that created accessible learning opportunities and aligned CPD with practice data. We conducted a chart audit to identify patient safety and quality of care issues within the institution, then established an eLearning approach that supported quick and cost effective development of high-quality interactive CPD opportunities. We tested a pilot module on the management of common infections in sub-acute care settings with fifteen (68%) residents and three staff physicians to evaluate the approach. One resident and three staff agreed to a follow-up interview. The satisfaction survey indicated that participants felt the content was generally appropriate and the module well designed. Significant improvements to knowledge were reported in the multi-drug resistance (Mean Difference = 25%, p = 0.002), infection management (MD = 32%, p < 0.001), and cellulitis risk factor (MD = 22%, p = 0.02) questions, as well as in the overall score (MD = 19%, p < 0.001). In terms of confidence in their answers, the mean rating pre-module was 3.17, rising significantly to 3.92 post-module (p < 0.001). In this way, collaboration between quality management and education committees allowed for the development of relevant CPD for physicians, with eLearning providing a timely and accessible way to deliver training on emerging issues.

Keywords

• elearning
• continuing professional development
• patient safety
• quality of care
• common infections